By Bob Burckle  When Joseph Stalin initiated Russia’s communist rule in 1917, his objective to stamp out all religion became a priority. Stalin represented the new “socialist man,” free from religious oppression, modern and atheistic. His rule seemingly wiped Christianity from Russia, paving the way for the USSR’s birth in 1922 as atheism became the state religion, suddenly forcing the church underground. Yet, although millions of Christians were persecuted, imprisoned, brutalized and murdered by USSR forces, the secret church prevailed.... Read more

Cosmic Faith Each year, as the period of Lent approaches, I turn to John’s poignant account of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. The pace slows as the apostle devotes almost a quarter of his Gospel to this one intimate gathering of Jesus’ closest friends. The contrast in moods between Jesus and his disciples could hardly be greater. Earlier that week the disciples had been joined by a throng of people shouting “Hosanna!” and waving palm branches, eager to crown... Read more

By Dr. John Wind The “social gospel” has been a powerful yet controversial force within Christian history, particularly within American Protestantism. Emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this movement sought to intertwine social reform with the Christian mission, emphasizing the importance of societal transformation alongside personal conversion. However, the historical impact of the social gospel on American Protestant missions in China reveals significant dangers that remain relevant today, particularly as the church continues to engage with social... Read more

  By Lana Silk “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36    The Iranian Christian church is the fastest-growing church in the world. However, due to local government religious oppression, this movement is largely underground, making the exact growth rate estimate-able, but far from exact. And while we know this movement is massive, with many statistics estimating over one million Christians in Iran today,... Read more

  By Bob Burckle Have you ever wondered if you as just one person can really make a difference in the world? I’ve often asked myself that question as the tasks before us can seem so overwhelming, and yet we are so small. Throughout history, however, we’ve heard countless stories of individuals who had a profound impact on the world around them. We think of the many war heroes whose selfless acts of courage and valor saved the lives of... Read more